Collapsible box



Sept 8, 1931.k P. s. DOUGLAS ET AL 1,822,585

COLLAPS IBLE BOX Filed May 5l, 1928 Ff'uRE 1 Patented Sept. 8, 1931UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PETER S. DOUGLAS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, ANDJAMES FILSHILL, 0F CUPERTINO,

' CALIFORNIA COLLAPSIBLE BOX Application led May 31,

It is one object of the present invention to provide a box that may bequickly and easily collapsed into a small and compact package forstorage or transportation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a box of the characterindicated that may be collapsed into a substantially solid rectangularpackage without objectionable projecting parts. y

It is still another object of the invention to provide a box of thecharacter indicated in which there are no loose parts that may becomeseparated from the other members of the box.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a box of thecharacter indicated that will be economical to manufacture, simple inform and construction, solid and substantial when assembled, strong,durable` and highly efficient in its practical application.

Insthe drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a box elnbodying ourinvention, parts brokenawayand partly in section.

Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of a portion of a box embodyingour invention in a partially collapsed condition.

Y Figure 3 is a side elevation of the box when in a completely collapsedcondition.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, we show at 1-1 the twosides of the box, each side being the full length of the complete box,andA being equal to the height of the box less the thieknessrof thecover.

Since the two halves of the box when di- A hereinafter referred toextend to this median y plane when the box is expanded.

At 2 is a top member equal in length to the side 1 and positioned on thetop of the side member with one of its longer edges lying flush with theouter surface of the said side,

and secured to the side by. means of hinges:

1928. Serial No. 281,749.

as 3 having their pivot pins at the upper edge of the top as shown. Thismethod of mount-` .ing permits the top to be 'swung from its normalhorizontal position to a vertical position against the'outer side of theside l upon which it is mounted. i The bottom member 4 is positionedwith one of its longer edges abutting the inner surface of the sideelement 1 with its lower face lying flush with the lower edge' of thesaid side, and is mounted on the said side by means of hingeslpositioned with their pivot pins in the angle between the said bottomand side as shown. By means of this construction the bottom member maybe folded upflat against the innelnsurface of the side upon which it ismounted. Since the end members are to be placed within the length of theside element it is necessary that the bottom member be made shorter.than the side 1 at both ends.

At each end of the side 1 is an end member each end member being equalin height to the side 1 and normallypositioned with one edge abuttingthe inner surface of the side upon which it is mounted and with itsouter surface lying flush with the adjacent end of side 1. Each endmember 6 i's mounted upon the side'element by means of hinges as 7 thepivot pins of the hinges 7 being spaced a distance from the side 1substantially equal to the thickness of the bottom members 4. By meansof this construction whens the bottom member 4 is folded up against theside 1 the end member 6 may be folded inwardly and flat against thefolded bottom member. Each end member 6 is connected to the opposingedge of the adjacent end member 6a by a hinge 8 folding inwardly andprovided at their lower ends with inwardly directed plates 9 adapted toreceive and support the inner edges of the bottom members 4-4a when thebox is extended. A

When the box is assembled as described and extended asshown in Figure 1each pair snugly between the ends so that when in this position the endsare effectually locked n an extended position. When the top is closedthe two parts 2-2a rest upon the uppen edges ofV the side and endmembers and meet along the center of the box to" completely close thesame.

To collapse the box it is only necessary to swing the top members 2-2ainto parallel relation with the side upon which it is mounted and inContact with its outer surface, and then fold the bottom members Ll-Aaup against the inner sides of the sides 11a,. The end members 6 6@ maynow be collapsed inwardly on their connecting hinges 8 and mountings7-7a. This being accomplished the side, top,'bottom an-d end members alllie in parallel relation to each other to form a solid package withoutobjectionable projections of any kind and to form as compact a packageas the dimensions of the y material used will permit.

It is to be understood, of course, that while We have herein shown anddescribed but one specific embodiment of the invention, changes in form,construction, and method of assembly and operation may be made withinthe'- scope of the appended claim.

Ve claim:

.-A box comprising two symmetrical complementary portions, each portionconsisting of a side supporting member, a top member pivotally mountedthereonto fold into parallel relation therewith against its outer side,

a bottom member hinged to said supporting member at the inner plane ofsaid supporting member to fold so as to lie against said inner plane, anend member hingedlymounted on each end of said side supporting member asufficient distance from said inner plane of said side member to spacesaid end member from said side member when folded inwardly to form apocket for said bottom member and an inwardly foldable hinge connectingle abutting edges of each pair of end mem- JAMES FILSHILL. PETER S.yDOUGLAS,

